New Year’s resolutions have infamously been known for being broken. So, instead of making mine the same I do every year (note: the cliché “lose weight” or “go out more”), I have chosen resolutions that resonate more with my emotional health and ways in which I can improve it.

1. Focus less on drama and more on the reality of my relationships.

Drama and rumors can only get you so far. Lately, I have allowed myself to get caught up in what other people say, rather than letting actions speak for themselves. But as soon as I let rumors dictate the way I think about or interact with a person, I fail to give them the benefit of the doubt. This year, instead of letting drama get the best of me, I have resolved to allow people to speak for themselves and prove to me that they are worthy of my trust.

2. Start taking responsibility for what I say.

Texting “lol” or “idk tho” after every piece of advice or personal statement gets old after a while. For a long time, it was my way of releasing any sort of fault or responsibility to what I had said. This year, I have resolved to stop this. I should be taking responsibility for what I say, especially if it is something I believe strongly in. I want to be able to own my statements instead of using passive language to dismiss them.

3. Begin cultivating a positive relationship with my self-esteem.

Being a girl in this time period is difficult. With every source of media telling women that they need to fit a specific standard of beauty, it’s almost impossible to have a positive sense of self-esteem. There’s always something women need to change, from things as difficult as weight, to something as small as the shape of our eyebrows.

This year, instead of allowing myself to fall to these ridiculous standards, I have resolved to cultivate a more empowering and positive relationship with my body, look, and life. I’ve resolved to focus more on my physical and emotional health, rather than the way my body looks or other people’s opinions of me.

4. Start to speak out for what I believe in.

In this age, it is all too easy to back into a corner when it comes to hot-button issues. When these topics pop up, instead of being an activist for what I believe, I tend to fall silent. This year, I am tired of silence. In a world where beliefs can be so easily criticized and taken for granted, I’ve resolved to take my fear of conflict and criticism and change it into a source of power and strength. People may disagree with me, but it’s time for me to understand that disagreement is okay. I can only overcome my discomfort if I learn to listen to others as well as myself.

5. Look for the best in people.

It’s been difficult this year, especially in my friendships and relationships, to see the good in people. I always tend to assume the worst of intentions. But just recently, I have found that it is much more empowering to instead see the best in each person I meet.

Whether it be a friend, classmate, or date, I can let go of most of my stress and anxiousness if I can assume that they are generally good people. I will always be able to say that I gave them a fair shot, and I will have a more positive and encouraging outlook on the people I hang out with.

Cheers to 2018, a year of positivity, excellence, and a new empowering attitude!